Protective and support device for vehicle travel

ABSTRACT

The device includes an inflatable unit having a first portion conformable, when inflated, to overlie the seat of an automobile and a second depending portion adapted for disposition in the well between the front and back seats of the automobile or in the front seat well. The first portion provides a generally flat support surface between the front and rear seat backs. In one form, an inflatable tube is secured about the edges of the unit to fill the gap between the unit and the automobile sides and the forward walls of the wells. In another form, one or more inflatable tubes are secured along the edge of the first mentioned tube to project above the support surface, the one or more tubes defining an enclosed area about the support surface as well as providing a protective cushion between the enclosed area and the fixed interior parts of the automobile such as door and window handles and the like. The unit, in another form, is slotted to receive safety belts and, in another form, pockets are provided in the tube. In still another form, one or more inflatable seats are releasably secured to the unit. In a further form, the unit has a central opening, the unit forming a protective cushion about an individual, i.e., a child sitting on the automobile seat.

limited Mates Patent [151 8,M8,30h

Aluerhaeh 1 Mar, M, 1972 [54] PMUTECTHWIE AND @UPPURT DiEl/WCE PrimaryExaminerCasmir A. Nunberg FUR VEHMILiE TRAVEL Attorney-Le Blane & Shur[72] Inventor: Seymour Auerhach, 115 Heslceth Street, [57] ABSTRACTChevy Chase, Md. 20015 The device includes an inflatable unit having afirst portion [22] Wed: June conformable, when inflated, to overlie theseat of an automo- 2 APPL 5 234 bile and a second depending portionadapted for disposition in the well between the front and back seats ofthe automobile or in the front seat well. The first portion provides agenerally flat [52] Ufi. Cll 5N4, 5/1 18, 5/348, Support surface betweenthe f and Fear Seat backs In one 297/DIG' 297/385 form, an inflatabletube is secured about the edges of the unit [51] ilnt. 'Cl .A4l7dl 7/00,A47c 27/08, A470 27/18 to ml the gap between the unit and the automobileSides and [58] Field of fiealrch ..5/94, 98, 118, 348; 297/230,

the forward walls of the wells. in another form, one or more inflatabletubes are secured along the edge of the first mentioned tube to projectabove the support surface, the one or 297/231, 385, 456, DIG. 3

[56] Eden-mm more tubes defining an enclosed area about the support sur-UNITED STATES PATENTS face as well as providing a protective cushionbetweenthe enclosed area and the fixed interior parts of the automobilesuch 2,648,072 8/1953 D6 Blieux ..5/94 as dog and window handles and thelike The unit, in another 3,513,439 1970 Miller I 1 form, is slotted toreceive safety belts and, in another form. 2,649,593 1953 Kirsten xpockets are provided in the tube. In still another form, one or3,265,433 8/1966 Regan et X more inflatable seats are releasably securedto the unit. in a 3,331,999 5/ 1968 further form, the unit has a centralopening, the unit forming a 3,420,574 1/ 1969 h"; 5/98 R X protectivecushion about an individual, i.e., a child sitting on 3,265,437 8/1966Mincieh ....297/23l X the automobile 2,676,337 4/1954 806C161 ..5/94

18 Claims, 114i Drawing [Figures 'PMENTEUMAR 14 I972 SHEET 1 UF 5INVENTOR SEYMOUR AUERBACH K/ZQQM QW PATENTEDMAR I 4 i972 SHEET .3 [IF 5PMENTEBMAR 14 I972 16%306 SHEET 5 0F 5 lPlllUTlECTlll/IE AND SUIPPURTDEVIWE FUR VElllll CLlE 'lllkAVlElL The present invention relates to asupport and protective device for vehicle travel and particularlyrelates to an inflatable support and protective unit for use in thecockpit of an automobile to provide a support for loads carried by theautomobile, and/or a level cushioned protective support and play areafor children.

The general purpose of the present invention is to convert the cockpitof an automobile from an area having a limited area of horizontalsupport surface, i.e., principally the automobile seat, into an areahaving a horizontal support surface extending, when the device hereof isutilized in the rear cockpit, the full distance between the front andrear seat backs and between opposite sides of the automobile and whenutilized in the front cockpit, extending along the passengers sidebetween the front seat back and the forward wall of the front seat wellor dash.

The purpose of the present invention is also to provide a support andprotective device for use in the front and rear cockpits of anautomobile whereby either cockpit can be converted from an area having alarge number of protuberances, rigid fixtures and the like against whichan unrestrained individual, for example a child, can be thrown in theevent of a sudden stop, turn, etc. with resulting injury to suchindividual into an enclosed area wherein restraints limiting movement ofthe individual need not be imposed and which area has a protectivebarrier or cushion against which the individual can be thrown withoutinjury in the event of a sudden braking, impact, or the like. Moreover,the present invention is designed to permit ready and easy conversion ofeither of the conventionally configured front or rear cockpits of anautomobile to the support and protected areas herein disclosed.

It will be appreciated, as the description of the present inventionproceeds, that the inflatable unit hereof can be provided in two formsfor respective use in the front and rear cockpits of automobiles, theunit provided the rear cockpit having generally twice the width ofthe'unit provided the front cockpit (the latter unit being, of course,provided only on the passenger side of the front cockpit) with bothunits having like longitudinal cross-sectional configurations and beingsimilar in all other respects except as otherwise noted. To facilitatedescription, the present invention is described, for the most part, inconnection with its use in the rear cockpit of the automobile, it beingappreciated that the invention can be equally as well utilized in thefront passenger cockpit of the automobile subject to the foregoing widthlimitation and other limitations as hereinafter specified.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an inflatable unit having afirst generally rectangular portion configured, when inflated, tooverlie the rear seat in an automobile and to project forwardly over thewell between the front seat back and rear seat (or to project forwardlyin the front cockpit of the automobile over the well on the passengerside). The inflatable unit also includes a depending second portion fordisposition in the rear well (or front well) to provide support for thefront portion of the unit forwardly of the rear (front) seat. The upperface of the unit, when inflated and when the unit is disposed in theautomobile, constitutes a generally horizontal cushioned surface onwhich a load can be supported or on which, for example, a child can layor move about. Furthermore, the underside of the first portion of theunit which overlies the seat is configured to generally conform to theupper surface of the rear seat thereby to provide constant support overthe full area of the unit overlying the rear seat. To make the devicehereof compatible with the interior configuration of the rear cockpit ofautomobiles, the depending portion of the inflatable rear cockpit unithas a recess along its lower edge to accommodate the central hump ortunnel which extends along the floor of the automobile in the wellbetween the front and rear seats. In the front cockpit, the lower insidecorner of the depending portion of the front cockpit unit can be insetto accommodate the tunnel. It will be appreciated that the unit is thusconfigured, when inflated, to occupy essentially the full volume of therear cockpit in a specified automobile below a horizontal plane justabove the upper surface of the rear seat. (The front cockpit unit isconfigured to occupy the full volume of the passenger side of the frontcockpit below a horizontal plane just above the upper surface of thefront seat.) In this manner, the unit is selfsustaining in its properposition in the automobile and relative motion between it and theautomobile is precluded in the event of a sudden stop, turn, impact orthe like.

The device hereof can be utilized in substantially all of the widevariety of makes and models of automobiles by the employment of aninflatable element which conforms the plan area of the unit to theinterior plan area of the cockpit of a specified automobile. Forexample, in full size six passenger automobiles, the unit can beperimetric-ally expanded in plan form by use of the inflatable elementto "the lateral dimensions of the rear cockpit. Particularly, theelement is provided about the margin of the unit and can be inflated toincrease the effective lateral dimensions of the unit to the desiredlength and width. The inflatable element also assists in maintaining theunit against movement relative to the automobile in the event of asudden stop or the like as the effect, element, in effect, wedges theunit into the proper position within the automobile cockpit. While thedevice hereof is preferably manufactured in a standard size for all thevarious makes and models of automobiles of conventional size wherein thebasic unit without the inflatable element is per se specificallycompatible with a smaller standard size automobile with the inflatableelement adapting the basic unit to the larger automobiles, the basicunit as well as its inflatable element adapter may be manufactured invarious sizes as needed to accommodate and to be specifically useful inand compatible with per se, for example, smaller or larger than standardsize passenger automobiles. The inflatable adapter may be inflatablleseparately from the basic unit.

Further to the present invention it will be appreciated that whenchildren travel by automobile, it is common practice for the children tooccupy the rear seat of the automobile free of restraint. While safetybelts and other types of restraints are often provided in the rear seat,all to often these safety devices are not utilized and the children arefree from all restraint. Obviously, a sudden braking or turning of theautomobile permits motion of the children relative to the automobile andthis oftentimes results in injury to the children. For example, a childcan be thrown against the rigid back of the front seat as a result of asudden stop, or against the interior protuberances on the sides of thecar such as window or door handles and arm rests or the like in theevent of a sharp turn, whether anticipated or not. Accordingly, it is afurther feature hereof that a protective barrier is provided about thesupport surface of the unit to form a protected enclosure. This barrierincludes one or more superposed inflatable tubes secured about themargins of the basic unit or to the inflatable element previouslydescribed. These tubes when thus secured lie between the enclosed areaand the relatively rigid portions of the front seat back and theinterior protuberances on the sides of the car, for example, the windowor door handles, arm rests, and the like, the barrier being providedalong the front and side margins of the unit with the seat back forminga portion of the barrier along the fourth side of the unit. Theinflatable barrier in conjunction with the seat back thus forms aprotective cushion against which an unrestrained individual could bethrown without injury in the event of a sudden stop, turn, impact or thelike. Preferably, this protective barrier and the basic unit areseparately inflatable, the former being releasably secured along theedges of the latter or to the inflatable element previously described toform the enclosure.

As a further safety feature hereof, the basic unit is provided with aplurality of slots for receiving conventional scat belts, or otherrestraining devices. Should it be desired to restrain a child frommovement, the child being supported on the cushioned support member, thesafety belts can be simply disposed about the child in the conventionalmanner. As a further embodiment, safety straps are also provided on theunit per se whereby a childs motion along the inflatable units supportsurface can be limited or fully restrained as desired. It will beappreciated that, as an additional safety precaution, conventionalsafety belts on the automobile seat may be employed to further securethe inflatable unit in position overlying the seat.

A further feature hereof is the provision of another form of separatelyinflatable tubular protective element which is either fixedly orreleasably secured along the edges of the basic unit and whichcompletely surrounds the latter in a manner to define a fully enclosedplay area or crib. Also, suitable pockets and openings can be providedin this latter protective element for toys, bottles or the like asdesired. In a further form of the present invention, one or moreseparately inflatable seats can be releasably secured along the uppersurface of the basic unit whereby the child can sit in an elevatedposition as in a conventional childs car seat. Suitable restrainingdevices are provided on the seat. As will be appreciated, a single seatcan be provided with the remaining area of the basic unit which extendspreferably between the opposite sides of the car constituting a playarea for the child. A pair of seats can be provided in side by siderelation if desired. Also, the inflatable seats can be utilized per sewithout the basic unit simply by securing the inflatable seat to theautomobile seat by the seat belts.

In a still further form of the invention, the basic unit is providedwith a central opening whereby, when inflated and disposed in theautomobile, the upper portion of the rear seat is fully exposed throughthe opening. In this form, a portion of the unit which is disposed inthe well is spaced from the front edgeof the rear seat. Thus, the rearseat per se, provides the seat support for an individual, the individualbeing fully surrounded on all sides by the protective cushion formed bythe basic unit.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to providea support and protective device for the front or rear cockpit of anautomobile.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a substantiallyflat area in the cockpit of an automobile on which a child can play orsleep or a load can be supported.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide aprotective device for children in the cockpit of an automobile whichwill substantially preclude the danger of injury to the person of thechild in the event of a sudden stop, turn, impact or the like.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide aprotective device for the cockpit of an automobile in which theprotuberances projecting within the interior of the car, for example thewindow and door handles as well as the rigid parts fonning the frontseat back or dash as applicable are fully covered with a cushioningelement.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide asupport and protector device for the cockpit of an automobile in theform of a fully enclosed playpen or crib for children.

These and further objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent upon reference to the following specification,appended claims and drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a support and protective Q deviceconstructed in accordance with the present invention and disposed in therear cockpit of an automobile;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the device illustrated inFIG. 1 as disposed in the rear cockpit of an automobile and utilizing aninflatable element adapter;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken generally about onlines 33 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged transverse cross-sectional view of another form ofthe support and protective device hereof;

FIG. 5 is a plan view on a reduced scale of the device illustrated inFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a form of the invention illustratedin FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 illustrating another form of theinvention hereof;

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of another form of theinvention hereof;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the basic inflatable unit witha tubular barrier forming an enclosure;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 9 illustrating the basicunit with a detachable tubular barrier;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view thereof taken about online lll1 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of still another form of the inventionhereof illustrating a childs car seat as employed with the basic unithereof;

FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a still further form ofthe present invention; and

FIG. 14 is a vertical cross-sectional view of another form hereof.

Referring now to the drawings particularly to FIG. 1, there isillustrated a support and protective device constructed in accordancewith the present invention generally indicated at 10 and disposed in therear cockpit C (FIG. 2) of an automobile, the rear seat of cockpit Cbeing indicated by the dashed lines 12 in FIG. 1. Also illustratedschematically is the tunnel 14 for housing the drive shaft which runslongitudinally along the floor and through the central portion of manytypes of automobiles. The device 10 comprises an inflatable unit having,when inflated and disposed in the automobile, a first horizontallyextending portion 16 and a second portion 18 depending vertically fromand along the forward edge of horizontal portion 16. Portion 16, as seenin FIG. 2, is specifically adapted and configured to overlie the seatportion 20 of rear seat construction 12 while the depending portion 18is adapted to lie in the well W of the automobile between the front seatback 24 and the forward portion of rear seat 20. The lower edge ofdepending portion 18 preferably rests on the floor F of the automobile.The foregoing described configuration is basic to the present inventionand forms the basic component from which the other embodiments hereofare derived as hereinafter described. As illustrated in FIG. 2, theunderside of portion 16 is preferably specifically configured to conformto the contour of the upper face of seat 20 while its rear edge isadapted to butt the forward face of rear seat back 26. Accordingly, withthe lower edge of depending portion 18 resting on floor F and the lowerface of portion 16 following the contour of rear seat 20, the upper flatsurface 27 of device 10 is' provided support at each point therealongand will remain in a substantially horizontal configuration. It willalso be appreciated that, when device 10 is fully inflated, itpreferably extends to the opposite sides of the car and between thefront and rear seat backs 24 and 26 respectively to provide asubstantially horizontal surface throughout the entirety of the rearcockpit area including well W. With this basic inflatable unit disposedin the rear seat, there is thus provided a supporting surface which issubstantially larger in area than the area of the rear seat 20 per seand a surface which is horizontal in contradistinction to the contouredseat surface. Thus, surface 27 constitutes an enlarged support surfacefor loads which can thus be disposed and maintained in a horizontalposition. Also, by utilizing this basic configuration, there is alsoprovided a large area for one or more children, the basic unit fullysupporting the childrens weight through its entire area. There is nodanger that the children can fall into well W, as would otherwise be thecase, since device 10 substantially covers and fills well W and extendsfrom the front to the rear seat backs.

It will be appreciated that the basic unit 10 can be readily, easily andquickly installed in the rear cockpit of an automobile simply by drapingthe uninflated portion 16 over rear seat 20 with the uninflated portion18 depending in well W, or by preinflating the basic unit for subsequentdisposition in the automobile cockpit. Preferably, device 10 is inflatedfrom a single valve 28, (FIG. I) by means of a manual or automaticallyactuated air pump or from an aerosol container compatible with the valve28 and dispensing air, the pump and container not being shown. Valve 28may also be of the type to permit inflation of device lltl orally. Asunit 16 is inflated, it assumes the configuration illustrated in crosssection in FIG. 2, and when fully inflated, fills substantially theentire area between the opposite sides of the car and between the frontand rear seat backs 2d and 26 respectively. As will be appreciated,device llll when fully inflated, is restrained from substantial movementrelative to the automobile due to its particular shape i.e., restrainedfrom ll) forward or rearward movement by its forward and rear edgeswhich engage front and rear seat backs 2d and 26 respectively, and bythe engagement of the contoured underface of portion 116 along seat 26,2) lateral movement by engagement of the sides of portions 16 and 116against the sides of the automobile, and 3) upward movement by theengagement of the front edge of portion 16 and rear face of portion 13against the front seat back 26 and forward edge of seat 26 respectively(FIG. 6). When it is desired to remove device ltl from rear cockpit C,the latter can simply be deflated by opening air valve 26. Thus, air canbe readily ejected from device lltl whereupon it can be folded to form acompact package ready for storage in the automobile or in its trunk.

Device 116, including the embodiments hereof to be described, can beformed of any suitable material capable of being inflated and retainingits shape once inflated. For example, synthetic or natural rubber,rubberized plastics or plastics such as polyethylene, polypropelene, orpolyvinyl chloride could be employed. Plastic or rubber impregnatedfabric or nylon may be also be employed to impart strength to device Was well as to preclude tearing of and to provide a puncture resistantmaterial.

Any suitable form of interior construction may be provided wherebydevice l obtains and retains the desired shape, i.e., the shapegenerally illustrated in FIG. 2. A preferred form of the presentinvention provides a plurality of transversely extending elongatedtubelike members 32. This can be accomplished by interconnecting a pairof spaced sheets of material 34 and 36 (FIG. 3) by a plurality oflongitudinally spaced transversely extending elongated webs 36.Depending upon the type of material utilized, the opposite edges of webs38 can be stitched, heat sealed, or otherwise secured to the oppositesheets 34 and 36 to form the elongated tubelike member 32. Webs 36permit device lltl to obtain and retain its shape when fully inflatedand are provided with one or more openings 39 whereby tubes 32 lie incommunication one with the other. In this manner, only a single inletvalve is required. Obviously, device 16' could be made in separatesections separately inflatable if desired. For example, the horizontalportion 16 and depending portion 16 could be formed as separatelyinflatable sections if desired.

Referring to FIG. 2, it will be noted that the width of webs 36increases, from a nominal width intermediate the length of portion 16 atthe location of the highest point of rear seat 26, to a width aboutthree times as large at the rear seat of seat 20 adjacent back 26whereby the lower face of portion 16 is adapted to conform to and followthe contour of the upper surface of seat 24). Thus, when device 16 isinflated, a substantially horizontal upper surface is provided with fullsupport at each point therealong. As illustrated in FIG. 2, dependingportion 116 is similarly constructed. Particularly, an intermediatesheet d6 is provided and webs 3% connect between sheet slit and forwardand rear panels 62 and Ml respectively to form a plurality of elongatedtubes 45. Additionally, inflatable tubular sections 66 and 66 areprovided forwardly of panel 62 to extend depending portion 16 forwardlyto adjacent the front seat back 24. The openings 39 through webs 36 maylie at opposite ends of the tubular members 32 or directly adjacent oneanother as desired. Other types of constructions can be utilized to formthe basic configuration illustrated in FIG. ll. For example, instead ofproviding transversely extending tubular members 36 as in FIG. ll, thereis provided, as illustrated in FIG. 6, longitudinally extendinginflatable compartments separated by webs dd. Webs M are formed in thecross-sectional shape, for example at the peripheral margins of thedevice 16 as illustrated in FIG. 2 and their opposite edges are suitablysecured between upper and lower panels 56 and 52 respectively. Openingsare preferably provided in the webs whereby the compartments definedthereby lie in open communication one with the other.

It is a feature of the present invention that the depending portion 118of device 10 is specifically configured to conform about tunnel 1d. Tothis end, a centrall portion of depending portion 116 is recessed as at56 in FIG. ll. Thus, the lower edges of portion 18 rest on floor F ofthe automobile on opposite sides of hump M while the recessed portion 56conforms generally about tunnel 114i.

Referring now to FIG. 7, because of the inflatable nature of the devicelltl, it is convenient for the seat belts 5d conventionally provided inthe rear seat of an automobile to extend upwardly between the rear edgeof portion 16 and rear seat back 26. In this manner, conventional safetybelts can be conveniently employed to restrain a child in the rearcockpit as desired. To facilitate use of the safety belts, a pair ofslots 60, illustrated in FIG. 5, can be provided for receiving the beltportions between the buckle and link and the safety belt anchorages. Tofacilitate construction, the slots are, in FIG. 5, open along the rearedge of portion 16. Further the seat belts may be employed to ensurelodgment of device in the rear cockpit C. To this end, the straps of thesafety belt can be inserted through the respective slots 60 with thestrap buckle and link being joined to clamp the portion between slots 60and hence unit 10 to seat 20. As illustrated in FIG. 6, slots 62 can beprovided through the portion 16, the slots in this form being enclosedalong the rear edges of unit it).

The device hereof can be utilized in substantially all of the widevariety of makes and models of automobiles by the employment of aninflatable element which conforms the plan area of the unit to theinterior plan area of the cockpit of a specified automobile. Aspreviously noted, in large full size six passenger automobiles, the unitcan be perimetrically expanded in plan form by use of the inflatableelement to the lateral dimensions of the rear cockpit. lParticularly,and referring to FIG. 2, a preferably separately inflatable element 65is provided about the margin of the unit specifically along the frontand sides of the unit. Thus, element 65 can be inflated to increase theeffective lateral dimensions of the unit to the desired length andwidth. Inflatable element 65 also assists in maintaining the unitagainst movement relative to the automobile in the event of a suddenstop or the like as the inflatable element, in effect, wedges the unitinto the proper position within the automobile cockpit. While device 110is preferably manufactured in a standard size for all the various makesand models of automobiles of conventional. size wherein the basic unit10 without inflatable element 65 is per se specifically compatible witha smaller standard size automobile with the inflatable element adaptingthe basic unit to the larger automobiles, the basic unit as well as itsinflatable element adapter 65 may be manufactured in various sizes asneeded to accommodate and to be specifically useful in and compatiblewith per se, for example, smaller or larger than standard size passengerautomobiles.

As a further embodiment of the invention hereof, there is provided, oneor more, preferably a pair of superposed elongated tubular members 66and 66 (FIG. 6) secured one to the other and preferably releasablysecured along the edge of member 65. Tubular members 64 and 66 arepreferably fixedly secured one to the other and may also be releasablysecured or permanently secured about the edges of device l'll inset fromtubular element 65. When fixedly secured, tubes 66 and 66 comprise aseparately independently inflatable barrier B about the surface 116,tubes 64 and 66 having their own air valve. It will be appreciated thatwhen the tubes 64 and 66 forming barrier B are permanently secureddirectly to device lit), tubular members 64 and 66 can be disposed inopen communication with tubular members 32 of device 16 whereby theentire structure could be inflatable from valve 26. Likewise, when tubes66 and 66 are secured to tube 66 with the latter permanently secured todevice 10 the entire structure could be inflatable from valve 28. Also,a pair of members 64 and 66 are preferred although a single inflatabletubular member could also be employed or alternatively, any number ofseparately inflatable members similar to members 64 and 66 can besuperposed and releasably secured to one another to provide a barrier Bof selected height as desired. As best illustrated in FIG. 4, theinflatable adapter 65 is secured along the front and side edges ofportion 16 and projects partially outwardly and upwardly of portion 16with tubular members 64 and 66 being disposed above member 65. With theforegoing configuration, tubular members 64, 65 and 66 in conjunctionwith rear seat back 26 form an enclosure about the upper surface ofportion 16.

It is also a feature of the present invention that barrier B extends inheight sufficiently above portion 16 as to lie between the area enclosedthereby and interior protuberances on the sides of the automobiles, forexample, the window and door handles 70 and 72 respectively in FIG. 4 aswell as the rigid part of front seat back 24. Accordingly, a childwithin the enclosure and thrown toward the front or to either side ofthe automobile will impact against barrier B which provides a cushioningeffect rather than against the protuberances or other rigid parts of theautomobile which might cause serious injury.

In the form hereof illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, inflatable tubularadapter 65 extends along the front and sides of unit 10 with the rearseat back closing the fourth side. As illustrated in FIG. 9, a pair ofsuperposed tubular members 74 and 76 are permanently secured to theedges of portion 16 to form a full enclosure E1 with inflatable adapter65 extending about portion 16 along its front and sides. Enclosure E1forms a playpen or sleeping area for a child with tubular members 74 and76 forming a protective barrier or cushion fully surrounding the child.It will be appreciated that suitable recesses can be formed in thetubular members to provide pockets, for example, the pocket 78 forholding baby implements such as hottles, toys and the like. There mayalso be formed a zippered pocket 80 on the inside of tubular members 74and 76 as seen in FIG. 9A.

In FIG. 10, a similar pair of tubular members 740 and 76a are providedto form a complete enclosure E2. In FIG. 10, tubular member 74a isreleasably secured along the edges of 16. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 11, this connection could comprise a zipper connection 79 between apair of strips 80 and 82 of material which extend about the edges ofportions 16 and the outer edge of lower tubular member 74a. Other typesof securing means could be utilized as desired, for example, Velcrostrips. Also a floor 77 may also be provided for the enclosure E2 andextends inwardly from the lower edge of member 74a.

A still further form of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 12.In this form, the basic unit is provided with one or more inflatableseats 90 releasably secured to unit 10 along the lower edges of seats 90by zippers, buckles, straps, or the like. The seat includes a pluralityof tubular, inflatable members constructed similarly as previouslydescribed and forming a seat 92 and a back 94. Particularly, theinflatable seat includes a plurality of horizontally extending tubespreferably in communication with one another, the seat 90 beingseparately inflatable from valve 91. An arm rest 96 on either side ofseat 90 may also be provided as desired. Restraining straps 98 are alsosuitably secured to seat 90. Where only one seat is provided, theremaining area of portion 16 provides a flat support or play surfacewhich is fully enclosed and protected by barrier B. Where two childrenare transported in the rear cockpit, a second seat 100 of likeconfiguration can be releasably secured to portion 16 similarly as thefirst seat and in side by side relation thereto or a bench type seatconstituting a widened version of seat 90 can be provided. Also, ifdesired, seat 90 can be secured directly to the automobile seat withoututilizing the basic unit 10 to provide a car seat.

Referring to FIG. 13, there is illustrated a further form of the presentinvention wherein the basic unit obtains the same general configurationas previously described. In this form, however, unit 10b is formed to aheight sufficient to extend between the upper face of rear seat 20 andadjacent the lower window ledge or the top portion of front seat back24. There is also provided a central opening 102 through portion 16b anda rear part of depending portion 18a whereby the front face of opening102 formed by the rear central part of portion 18 is spaced from thefront edge of rear seat 20. In this fashion, an individual can sit onrear seat 20 with his legs disposed between rear seat 20 and the reducedwidth part 104 of depending portion l8a. The individual is thus fullyenclosed on all sides by the inflatable unit and protected from impactagainst the side protuberances or the front seat back 24. A seat beltcan be provided through a pair of slots 108 formed in the inflatedportion 16b or alternatively can overlie the seat below the lower faceof portion 16b. Thus, the child is fully surrounded by the inflatableunit 16 and comfortably restrained within the opening 102.

While the foregoing description has been provided with reference to therear cockpit of an automobile, it will be appreciated that the basicinflatable unit hereof may also be utilized in the passenger side of thefront cockpit of the automobile as noted previously. The unit can beformed to a width of about one-half the interior dimensions of theautomobile (the same basic cross-sectional configuration seen in FIG. 2being utilized). A smaller inflatable element would be employed to forman enclosure similarly as in the embodiments hereof illustrated in FIG.1, 9 and 10. Obviously, a single carseat of the type illustrated in FIG.12 could be employed and a central opening could be provided in anotherform similarly as the opening 102 is provided in FIG. 13.

While the portion 16 of unit 10 is preferably provided with thecross-sectional shape illustrated in FIG. 2 whereby its underfaceconforms to the contour of seat 20, it will be appreciated that thecontour of seat 20 in certain automobiles will be somewhat differentlyshaped than the contour illustrated. For example, the seat may declinemore or less toward the seat back 26 than illustrated. To accommodatevarious declinations and seat contours, the basic unit 10 is providedwith an upper portion 16C which has generally rectangular cross section,when inflated, as seen in FIG. 8. In other words, the tubular members32C are constant in cross-sectional area throughout their full lengthsbetween opposite sides of the automobile while depending portion 18C isidentical to the depending portion 18 described with respect to FIG. 2.To accommodate various seat contours there is provided a separatelyinflatable member preferably formed of a plurality of elongated tubularsections 122 which, when member 120 is inflated, extend in a directionparallel to members 32C of portion 16C. Tubular members 122 are formedto provide a first member of small cross-sectional area with succeedingmembers toward the rear seat back 24 having progressively increasingcross-sectional areas. Further, member 120 is formed such that its uppersurface is generally horizontal and its underface contoured. Member 120is preferably, separately inflatable from unit 10. When member 120 isdisposed on the rear seat 20, it can be selectively inflatable to agreater or lesser extent such that its upper surface may liesubstantially in the same horizontal plane which passes through the apexportion of seat 20. In this manner, member 120 forms the base for therear edge portion of portion 16C when the latter is disposed in theautomobile and inflated. Member 120 can be secured, either releasably asby a zipper or permanently, for example by heat sealing or stitching tomember 16C as desired.

As illustrated in FIG. 14 there is disclosed a basic unit having aconstruction similar to the construction illustrated in FIG. 4 with thetubes of the unit extending longitudinally. In this form, however, theundersurface of an intermediate section of portion 16 extendssubstantially horizontally and is spaced above the seat. Thisintermediate section of portion 16 thus bridges over the intermediateportion of the seat with support for portion 116 being provided alongits rear edge by a plurality of depending longitudinally extendingtransversely arranged tubular units 1100. The rigidity of the unit isobtained through the inflation of the longitudinal tubes in portion 16which have the capability of supporting substantial loads.

It will thus be appreciated that the objects of the present inventionare fully accomplished in that there has been provided a basicinflatable unit which occupies substantially the full volume of the rearcockpit from a horizontal plane just above the rear seat downwardly tothe floor of the automobile to provide a horizontal support surface forloads, children, etc., extending fully between the front and rear seatbacks. The basic unit is adaptable for use in a wide variety of makesand models of standard size automobiles and can be readily, easily andsimply installed and removed from the automobile as desired. The basicunit, moreover, can be folded to a compact size for ready storage in asmall space. As will be appreciated from the foregoing description, thebasic unit can also be modified to provide a rear cockpit playpen, crib,car seat or generally a protective enclosure for children.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presentembodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription, and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States LettersPatent is:

l. A device for use in a cockpit of an automobile comprising asubstantially rectangular inflatable first portion configured to overliea portion of the seat of an automobile when inflated; a secondinflatable portion extending from said first portion along an edgethereof and projecting, when inflated, substantially normal to saidfirst portion for disposition in the well of an automobile; an elongatedinflatable element, means for securing said inflatable element along atleast one side and an adjacent edge of said device with said elementlying in a generally horizontal plane, said element, when inflated,projecting laterally outwardly of said one side and said adjacent edgeto effectively longitudinally and laterally perimetrically expand saiddevice whereby the plan area of said device is substantially conformableto the plan area of the automobile cockpit, said device being configuredto lie, when inflated, wholly within the vertical confines of thecockpit of the automobile and constrained from substantial movement in alongitudinal or lateral direction relative to the automobile.

2. The device according to claim ll wherein said first and secondportions lie in communication one with the other, said element beingseparately inflatable, and means for releasably securing said element tosaid device.

3. The device according to claim ll wherein said first portion has apair of openings for receiving safety belts carried by the automobile.

4i. The device according to claim ll wherein the upper face of saidfirst portion lies substantially in a horizontal plane, when inflated,and disposed in the automobile; said first portion having a lower,generally arcuate face portion conformable to the rearwardly anddownwardly declining surface of the seat of the automobile.

5. The device according to claim ll including an inflatable generallyL-shaped member forming a seat, said latter member being secured to theupper surface of said first portion.

6. The device according to claim 5 wherein said member is releasablysecured to said first portion, said member extending laterally adistance at least substantially one-half the width of the automobilecockpit.

7. The device according to claim i wherein the device is configured tolie, when inflated, wholly within the vertical confines of the rearcockpit of the automobile between the ill front and rear seat backs andbetween the opposite sides of the automobile, means for securing saidclement along the op posite sides and front edge of said device, saidelement, when inflated, projecting laterally outwardly of and partiallyenclosing the area defined by the upper surface of said device toeffectively perimetrically expand said device in lateral andiongitudinal directions for substantial conformation with the plan areaof the automobile.

ll. The device according to claim 7 including a second inflatableelement, means for securing said second inflatable element along theopposite sides and front edge of said device such that said secondelement is disposed inwardly of said first mentioned element, saidsecond element, when inflated, projecting above and perimetricallyenclosing the area defined by the upper surface of said device on theopposite sides and front edge thereof, said second element being adaptedto form a protective cushion between the opposite sides and front seatsof the automobile and the area enclosed thereby.

9. A device according to claim ll wherein the underface of said firstportion lies in a substantially horizontal plane, an inflatable memberfor disposition, when inflated, below the underface of said firstportion on the seat, said member having a cross-sectional configurationto substantially fill, when inflated, the space enclosed by theunderface of said first portion, the upper face of the seat, and theseat back.

110. A device according to claim ll wherein a part of said first portionextends generally horizontal and is adapted to lie in spaced relationabove an intermediate portion of the seat, a part of said first portionalong an edge thereof remote from said second portion projecting in adownward direction for en gagement with a rear portion of the seatwhereby said first mentioned part is supportable when it bridges overthe intermediate portion of the seat.

11. A device for use in a cockpit of an automobile comprising asubstantially rectangular inflatable first portion configured to overliea portion of the seat of an automobile when inflated; a secondinflatable portion extending from said first portion along an edgethereof and projecting substantially nor' mal to said first portion whensaid device is inflated for disposition in the well of an automobile;said device being configured to lie, when inflated, wholly within thevertical confines of the rear cockpit of the automobile between thefront and rear seat backs and between the opposite sides of theautomobile and constrained from substantial movement in a forward orrearward direction relative to the automobile, each of said portionsincluding a plurality of restraining members extending interiorlybetween the walls thereof for maintaining said device in saidconfiguration, said first and second portions lying in opencommunication one with the other, means carried by one of said first andsecond portions for inflating said device, said second portion includingan edge remote from said first portion and having a recess intermediateits ends for substantially conforming about the tunnel in the floor ofthe automobile.

112. The device according to claim llll including an elongatedinflatable element, means for securing said inflatable element along atleast one side and an adjacent edge of said device with said elementlying in a generally horizontal plane, said element, when inflated,projecting laterally outwardly of said one side and said adjacent edgeto effectively perimetrically expand said device whereby the plan areaof said device is substantially conformable to the plan :area of theautomobile cockpit.

13. The device according to claim llll including an elongated inflatableelement, means for securing said inflatable element along at least threeadjacent side and end edges of said device, said element, when inflated,projecting above and perimetrically enclosing the area defined by theupper surface of said device, on at least three sides thereof; saidelement being adapted to form a protective cushion between the interiorwalls of the automobile facing the adjacent side and end edges and thearea enclosed.

14. The device according to claim 11 wherein said first portion has apair of openings for receiving safety belts carried by the automobile,the upper face of said first portion lying substantially in a horizontalplane, when inflated, and disposed in the automobile; said first portionhaving a lower generally arcuate face portion conformable to therearwardly and downwardly declining surface of the seat of theautomobile.

15. A device according to claim 11 wherein a part of said first portionextends generally horizontal and is adapted to lie in spaced relationabove an intermediate portion of the seat, a part of said first portionalong an edge thereof remote from said second portion projecting in adownward direction for engagement with a rear portion of the seatwhereby said first mentioned part is supportable when it bridges overthe intermediate portion of the seat.

16. A device according to claim 11 wherein said restraining memberscomprise inflatable tubular elements disposed in side-by-side generallyparallel relation one with the other and extending between oppositeedges of the respective portions, each of said tubular elements lying incommunication with each of the other of said tubular elements.

17. A device for use in a cockpit of an automobile comprising asubstantially rectangular inflatable first portion and forming aprotective enclosure for an occupant in the automobile cockpitconfigured to overlie a portion of the seat of an automobile wheninflated; a second inflatable portion extending from said first portionalong an edge thereof and projecting, when inflated, substantiallynormal to said first portion for disposition in the well of anautomobile; said device being configured to lie, when inflated, whollywithin the vertical confines of the rear cockpit of the automobilebetween the front and rear seat backs and between the opposite sides ofthe automobile and constrained from substantial movement in a forward orrearward direction relative to the automobile, said first portionincluding a central opening with the surrounding wall portions thereofdefining a protective enclosure for the occupant disposed within theopening.

18. The device according to claim 17 wherein said opening extendsthrough said first portion, said second portion being, in part, spacedfrom the forward edge of the seat with the spaced part defining aportion of the wall defining said protective enclosure.

mrmln SIMTES swam emu:

CERTEMQAT (NF Patent No. 3, 648 306 Dated March 14, 1972 SeymourAuerbach lnventor(s) It is certified that error appears in theabove-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

In Column 2-, line 23, "effect, element" should read --inflatableelement-- In Column 5, line 29, 'be also be" should read --also be--.

Signed and sealed this 26th day of September 7 (SEAL) Attest:

FDWARD M.FLETCHER, JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents FORM PO-IOSO (10-69) LjscoMM-fic gog' mr-m U 5, GOVERNMENTVIHNYINK. OFFICE 19600 bblil

1. A device for use in a cockpit of an automobile comprising asubstantially rectangular inflatable first portion configured to overliea portion of the seat of an automobile when inflated; a secondinflatable portion extending from said first portion along an edgethereof and projecting, when inflated, substantially normal to saidfirst portion for disposition in the well of an automobile; an elongatedinflatable element, means for securing said inflatable element along atleast one side and an adjacent edge of said device with said elementlying in a generally horizontal plane, said element, when inflated,projecting laterally outwardly of said one side and said adjacent edgeto effectively longitudinally and laterally perimetrically expand saiddevice whereby the plan area of said device is substantially conformableto the plan area of the automobile cockpit, said device being configuredto lie, when inflated, wholly within the vertical confines of thecockpit of the automobile and constrained from substantial movement in alongitudinal or lateral direction relative to the automobile.
 2. Thedevice according to claim 1 wherein said first and second portions liein communication one with the other, said element being separatelyinflatable, and means for releasably securing said element to saiddevice.
 3. The device according to claim 1 wherein said first portionhas a pair of openings for receiving safety belts carried by theautomobile.
 4. The device according to claim 1 wherein the upper face ofsaid first portion lies substantially in a horizontal plane, Wheninflated, and disposed in the automobile; said first portion having alower, generally arcuate face portion conformable to the rearwardly anddownwardly declining surface of the seat of the automobile.
 5. Thedevice according to claim 1 including an inflatable generally L-shapedmember forming a seat, said latter member being secured to the uppersurface of said first portion.
 6. The device according to claim 5wherein said member is releasably secured to said first portion, saidmember extending laterally a distance at least substantially one-halfthe width of the automobile cockpit.
 7. The device according to claim 1wherein the device is configured to lie, when inflated, wholly withinthe vertical confines of the rear cockpit of the automobile between thefront and rear seat backs and between the opposite sides of theautomobile, means for securing said element along the opposite sides andfront edge of said device, said element, when inflated, projectinglaterally outwardly of and partially enclosing the area defined by theupper surface of said device to effectively perimetrically expand saiddevice in lateral and longitudinal directions for substantialconformation with the plan area of the automobile.
 8. The deviceaccording to claim 7 including a second inflatable element, means forsecuring said second inflatable element along the opposite sides andfront edge of said device such that said second element is disposedinwardly of said first mentioned element, said second element, wheninflated, projecting above and perimetrically enclosing the area definedby the upper surface of said device on the opposite sides and front edgethereof, said second element being adapted to form a protective cushionbetween the opposite sides and front seats of the automobile and thearea enclosed thereby.
 9. A device according to claim 1 wherein theunderface of said first portion lies in a substantially horizontalplane, an inflatable member for disposition, when inflated, below theunderface of said first portion on the seat, said member having across-sectional configuration to substantially fill, when inflated, thespace enclosed by the underface of said first portion, the upper face ofthe seat, and the seat back.
 10. A device according to claim 1 wherein apart of said first portion extends generally horizontal and is adaptedto lie in spaced relation above an intermediate portion of the seat, apart of said first portion along an edge thereof remote from said secondportion projecting in a downward direction for engagement with a rearportion of the seat whereby said first mentioned part is supportablewhen it bridges over the intermediate portion of the seat.
 11. A devicefor use in a cockpit of an automobile comprising a substantiallyrectangular inflatable first portion configured to overlie a portion ofthe seat of an automobile when inflated; a second inflatable portionextending from said first portion along an edge thereof and projectingsubstantially normal to said first portion when said device is inflatedfor disposition in the well of an automobile; said device beingconfigured to lie, when inflated, wholly within the vertical confines ofthe rear cockpit of the automobile between the front and rear seat backsand between the opposite sides of the automobile and constrained fromsubstantial movement in a forward or rearward direction relative to theautomobile, each of said portions including a plurality of restrainingmembers extending interiorly between the walls thereof for maintainingsaid device in said configuration, said first and second portions lyingin open communication one with the other, means carried by one of saidfirst and second portions for inflating said device, said second portionincluding an edge remote from said first portion and having a recessintermediate its ends for substantially conforming about the tunnel inthe floor of the automobile.
 12. The device according to claim 11including an elongated inflatable Element, means for securing saidinflatable element along at least one side and an adjacent edge of saiddevice with said element lying in a generally horizontal plane, saidelement, when inflated, projecting laterally outwardly of said one sideand said adjacent edge to effectively perimetrically expand said devicewhereby the plan area of said device is substantially conformable to theplan area of the automobile cockpit.
 13. The device according to claim11 including an elongated inflatable element, means for securing saidinflatable element along at least three adjacent side and end edges ofsaid device, said element, when inflated, projecting above andperimetrically enclosing the area defined by the upper surface of saiddevice, on at least three sides thereof; said element being adapted toform a protective cushion between the interior walls of the automobilefacing the adjacent side and end edges and the area enclosed.
 14. Thedevice according to claim 11 wherein said first portion has a pair ofopenings for receiving safety belts carried by the automobile, the upperface of said first portion lying substantially in a horizontal plane,when inflated, and disposed in the automobile; said first portion havinga lower generally arcuate face portion conformable to the rearwardly anddownwardly declining surface of the seat of the automobile.
 15. A deviceaccording to claim 11 wherein a part of said first portion extendsgenerally horizontal and is adapted to lie in spaced relation above anintermediate portion of the seat, a part of said first portion along anedge thereof remote from said second portion projecting in a downwarddirection for engagement with a rear portion of the seat whereby saidfirst mentioned part is supportable when it bridges over theintermediate portion of the seat.
 16. A device according to claim 11wherein said restraining members comprise inflatable tubular elementsdisposed in side-by-side generally parallel relation one with the otherand extending between opposite edges of the respective portions, each ofsaid tubular elements lying in communication with each of the other ofsaid tubular elements.
 17. A device for use in a cockpit of anautomobile comprising a substantially rectangular inflatable firstportion and forming a protective enclosure for an occupant in theautomobile cockpit configured to overlie a portion of the seat of anautomobile when inflated; a second inflatable portion extending fromsaid first portion along an edge thereof and projecting, when inflated,substantially normal to said first portion for disposition in the wellof an automobile; said device being configured to lie, when inflated,wholly within the vertical confines of the rear cockpit of theautomobile between the front and rear seat backs and between theopposite sides of the automobile and constrained from substantialmovement in a forward or rearward direction relative to the automobile,said first portion including a central opening with the surrounding wallportions thereof defining a protective enclosure for the occupantdisposed within the opening.
 18. The device according to claim 17wherein said opening extends through said first portion, said secondportion being, in part, spaced from the forward edge of the seat withthe spaced part defining a portion of the wall defining said protectiveenclosure.